Information Handling System Management of Virtual Input Device Interactions

ABSTRACT

An information handling system presents visual images at plural display devices and moves the visual images at the display devices responsive to touches made at one or more of the display devices with movement managed in a point mode or a touch mode as selected by one or more predetermined inputs. In the touch mode, the visual image moves as the touch moves. At detection of the predetermined input to select the point mode, the visual image moves a greater distance than the touch movement so that the end user is able to move the visual image between separate display devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of informationhandling system input devices, and more particularly to an informationhandling system management of virtual input device interactions.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Information handling systems accept end user inputs through a variety ofdifferent types of input devices. Traditionally, desktop or otherstationary systems coupled through a cable to a keyboard and mousethrough which an end user inputted keyed values and mouse clicks.Portable information handling systems, such as laptops having aclamshell configuration, typically integrate a keyboard and touchpadinto a portable housing so that the end user can make keyed and touchinputs on the go. More recently, portable information handling systemshave adopted a planar tablet configuration that does not integrate akeyboard, instead accepting keyed inputs and touch events through atouchscreen display. Virtual input devices presented on a tabletinformation handling system touchscreen provide a convenient userinterface that does not increase system size, however, virtual devicesdo not generally provide the physical feedback of inputs that many usersrely upon when performing inputs, such as the return of a key or clickof a mouse. As a result, end user inputs made through virtual inputdevices tend to take more time and be more error prone. Often end userswill interface peripheral input devices with tablet information handlingsystems if end users need to make large numbers of keyed inputs, such asby carrying a Bluetooth or other peripheral device along with the tabletinformation handling system.

In some use cases, tablet information handling systems offer end users apreferred input interface for making user inputs. As an example, atablet information handling system form factor generally lays flat on adesktop surface to present information to an end user and accept enduser touch inputs. A horizontally-disposed touchscreen offers aconvenient surface to enter touch inputs that can include virtual inputdevices or a drawing surface, such as with a CAD application. In someinstances, the horizontally-disposed touch surface is a portableinformation handling system, in others it is a display with atouchscreen or simply a touch input device without a display, such as acapacitive touch mat. The horizontal touch surface accepts direct enduser touch inputs and also accepts inputs from tools resting on thesurface, such as totems that aid end user interactions by providing amore intuitive interaction and feedback on inputs that are made. Where ahorizontal touch surface includes a display, an end user is provided anadditional visual tool to interact with, such as with a multi-displayoperating system configuration. For example, a tablet informationhandling system supports execution of applications when in a horizontalconfiguration and presents additional visual information at a verticalperipheral display.

One difficulty that arises from the use of a horizontally-disposedtouchscreen display in a multi-display environment is that an end usergenerally must coordinate presentation of visual information on bothdisplays using touch inputs at the horizontal display. As an example, ifan end user wants to drag an application from one display to anotherwith a mouse, the end user clicks on the window and drags the window tothe other display. In contrast, when using a horizontal display tocontrol presentations at a vertical display, the end user has todesignate whether touch inputs are applied to one or both displays.Configuring control of touch inputs at the horizontal display disruptsworkflow and calls for the end user to understand and interact with acontrol interface. Instead the end user may use a mouse or other deviceinterchangeably with touch inputs at the horizontal display, such as byusing a mouse to select a display device and touches to interact withthe display device after selection. However, changing input devices alsodisrupts workflow and slows end user interactions and inputs withgreater limb movements needed to manage display in user interfaceconfigurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which providesinformation handling system interactions with virtual input devices.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method areprovided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous methods and systems for managing virtual inputdevices at an information handling system. An information handlingsystem processes information with a processor and memory and presentsthe information as visual images at plural displays through a graphicsprocessor. Virtual input devices automatically managed by theinformation handling system interact with visual images by transitioningbetween plural modes based upon predetermined conditions, such as thecontext determined at the information handling system.

More specifically, an information handling system processes informationwith a processor and memory to present visual images through a graphicsprocessor at plural displays. At least one display includes atouchscreen that accepts end user inputs as touches made at the displayand communicates the inputs to the information handling system through atouch controller. A mode selector interfaced with the touch controllerautomatically applies the touches as inputs based upon predeterminedconditions, such as context-driven inputs related to predeterminedconditions. For example, in one embodiment a seamless transition betweeninputs modes is provided with indications from an end user, such asadditional touches, voice commands, or gestures captured by a camera. Ina touch mode, an image touched by an end user moves as the end usertouch moves. The end user transitions from the touch to a pointer modewith an indication, such as an additional touch at the touchscreen, sothat the end user touch movements result in a greater relative movementof the visual image. The pointer mode provides movement of the visualimage to another of the plural displays at a rate determined from thetype of indication and context at the plural displays. Other types ofmulti-display interactions manage virtual devices to adjust visualimages in a manner predicted to be intended by the end user. In oneembodiment, a keyboard is presented at a vertical display to presentkeyed inputs made by an end user at a horizontal display. In variousembodiments, other types of indications to manage virtual devices mayadapt touch inputs detected at the touchscreen in various ways ascontent at the display changes and context of the information handlingsystem usage model changes.

The present invention provides a number of important technicaladvantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that aninformation handling system provides more effective management ofvirtual input devices across plural displays. For example, aninformation handling system automatically evaluates touches at onedisplay to apply the touches as multiple types of virtual devices. Inone embodiment, visual images move in a touch mode or pointer mode basedon one or more predetermined conditions, such as a configuration oftouches at the first display. An end user has increased flexibility tomove images between plural displays by selecting pointer mode withoutinterrupting the end user's interface with the first display. In oneembodiment, the hand providing motion to the visual image provides anadditional touch to transition between touch and pointer motion of thevisual image. The amount of motion imparted on a visual image in thepointer mode may also be adjusted by providing inputs at the touchinghand or other types of inputs, such as from separate hand, a camera, ora voice command, etc. . . . . In alternative embodiments, other types oftouch inputs monitored by the information handling system driveinteractions with virtual devices, such as by placing a keyboard on asecond display that presents keyed inputs made at a first display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 depicts an information handling system managing virtual inputdevices to present information at a vertically-disposed display and ahorizontally-disposed display:

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a system for managing virtual deviceinputs at plural displays;

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of factors considered in automatedconfiguration of virtual device inputs at plural displays:

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a process for selectively engaging amouse function with touch inputs at a display;

FIG. 5 depicts an example embodiment for managing mouse input touches atan information handling system display;

FIG. 6 depicts an example embodiment for managing the speed at whichmouse inputs are implemented at the display:

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a process for selectively engagingtouch and pointer modes that move a visual image at a display;

FIG. 8 depicts an example embodiment for managing touch and pointer modefunctions using a series of interrelated touches;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D depict examples of virtual device interactionsin touch and pointer modes managed by touch inputs at a display:

FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram of a process for managing selection oftouch mode interactions of a virtual device using a single hand;

FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of a process for managing selection oftouch mode interactions of a virtual device using non-touch sensors; and

FIG. 12 depicts an example embodiment of typed inputs made at ahorizontal display and presented at a vertical display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Information handling system interactions with virtual devices areautomatically managed to transition touch inputs seamlessly acrossplural displays. For purposes of this disclosure, an informationhandling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate ofinstrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personalcomputer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and mayvary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Theinformation handling system may include random access memory (RAM), oneor more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) orhardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types ofnonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handlingsystem may include one or more disk drives, one or more network portsfor communicating with external devices as well as various input andoutput (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display.The information handling system may also include one or more busesoperable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an information handling system 10 managesvirtual input devices to present information at a vertically-disposeddisplay 12 and a horizontally-disposed display 14 resting on a desktop16. In the example embodiment, vertical display 12 includes a camera 18that captures images of desktop 16 and a microphone 20 to capturesounds. Information handling system 10 presents visual images atdisplays 12 and 14, such as application windows 22 and a mouse pointer24. An end user hand 26 is depicted in a position to make a touch inputat display 14 by touching the surface having a touch sensor, such ascapacitive touch surface. Display 12 may also include a touchscreensurface to accept touch inputs. Other types of input devices mayinteraction with information handling system 10 to accept end userinputs, such as a physical keyboard and mouse interfaced withinformation handling system 10 through a cable or wireless interface.

In the example embodiment, an end user interacts with applicationwindows 22 presented through either of display 12 or 14. End user hand26 touches visual images on horizontal display 14 to move the visualimages in a touch mode to desired locations on horizontal display 14.For example, by touching application window 22, end user hand 26 movesapplication window 22 by dragging it across horizontal display 14. Inthe touch mode, end user touches generally are limited to movement ofthe visual image within the display area of the display 14 on which thevisual image is presented. Alternatively, end user touches manipulatemouse pointer 24 to perform end user inputs at application window 22.For example, touches at horizontal display 14 translate into movement ofmouse pointer 24 in a pointer mode so that the effect of a touch andmovement on horizontal display 14 translates to movement and inputs atmouse pointer 24 instead of at the point of the touch. In the pointermode, end user touches translated to a visual image at a location distalthe touches allows the visual image to move between displays 12 and 14.Advantageously, by monitoring context at information handling system 10and inputs at display 14, end user touches seamlessly transition betweentouch and pointer inputs to allow an end user free movement of visualimages while maintaining a constant touch on horizontal display 14. Forexample, transitions between touch and pointer modes for a constanttouch are commanded based upon active applications, the type ofoperation involved and other inputs detected by information handlingsystem 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram depicts a system for managingvirtual device inputs at plural displays. An information handling systemexecutes instructions on a central processing unit (CPU) 24 incooperation with random access memory (RAM) 26. For example, CPU 24boots an operating system 30 from persistent memory, such as a solidstate drive (SSD) 28, and then executes applications 32 over operatingsystem 30 to generate visual information for presentation at pluraldisplays 12 and 14. For example, CPU 24 provides visual information to agraphics processing unit (GPU) 36 in a chipset 34 that in turn generatespixel values for communication to displays 12 and 14. In the exampleembodiment, an embedded controller 38 interfaces with a touch controller40 of displays 12 and 14 to receive touch input locations and forwardthe touch inputs locations to operating system 30 executing on CPU 24.For example, an operating system interface 44 relates touches to contentpresented on the screen so that inputs are properly interpreted for thecontent that the end user interacts with. In various embodiments, theend user interacts directly with a visual image of an application 32 toinput information, such as by writing or drawing with a pen or a finger,or the end user interacts with a virtual device that translates touchesthrough an operating system interaction, such as virtual keyboard,mouse, color pallet or similar interactive device presented at thedisplay.

End user touches at horizontal display 14 provide a convenient inputresource since the presentation of visual images at horizontal display14 offers a rich environment for the end user to engage with. A modeselector 46 executing as embedded code on touch controller 40 or otherprocessing resources aids interpretation of touch inputs by operatingsystem interface 44 to further enhance end user interactions. Modeselector 46 applies touches in a selected of plural modes based upon thecontext of the end user interactions and predetermined inputs made bythe end user. Advantageously, context-based interpretation of touchesallows an end user to adapt touches to desired inputs without liftingthe touch from horizontal display 14. For example, when working withdisplayed application windows end users often move visual images todifferent locations on displays 12 and 14 to manipulate information andperform functions within applications. Conventional physical inputdevices, such as a keyboard and mouse, tend to require multiple arm andhand movements to effectively engage applications and information acrossdifferent displays. Mode selector 46 simplifies interactions byautomatically transitioning between touch, pointer, typing and otherinput modes with a continuous touch application. Mode selector 46analyzes context at information handling system 10 including theapplications executing on CPU 24, the applications presenting visualinformation at displays 12 and 14, the active application windowsselected by the end user, the end user position, visual cues captured bycamera 18, audible cues captured by microphone 20, hand and fingerpositions of an end user and historical inputs of an end user. In oneembodiment, eye tracking by camera provides an indication of end userintent and is considered in the context applied to determine theselected mode. Mode selector 46 applies the analysis to select a touchinput interpretation adapted to an end user's predicted input intent.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram depicts factors considered inautomated configuration of virtual device inputs at plural displays. Astate machine, for example, monitors context and applies the detectedcontext to predict end user intentions for touch inputs as displayactions 58. In the example embodiment, monitored context includes atstep 48 content placement options from a gesture. For example, if agesture is detected, the possible interpretations of the gesture areconsidered along with the impact of each interpretation should thatinterpretation be applied. For instance, a tap at horizontal display 14might indicate a enter command, a mode change command, a selection of awindow or a variety of other interpretations, each of which isconsidered along with the impact on information presented by theinformation handling system if the interpretation is applied. At step50, monitored inputs include source applications managed with thedetected gesture. For example, when a gesture is detected, the availableapplications are compared with the gesture to determine if the gestureis relevant to the application. At step 52, a prioritized list of nextactions is considered. The prioritized list is maintained and updated asthe context of at the information handling system changes. For example,based upon available actions with open applications, a predicted list oflikely end user inputs is generated and prioritized based upon theprobability that the end user will make the input. For instance, a userwith an active graphics application accepting drawing inputs and an idlepresentation application preparing a presentation may have a greaterlikelihood of performing a cut and paste operation than opening anotherapplication window. In that context, the cut and paste operation willhave a greater probability of implementation and will thus fall higheron the list of prioritize next actions. If in that context the userreceives an email, the priority for an input to read the email mayincrease, thus changing the prioritized list of actions. Mode selector46 observes inputs over time to learn end user preferences and adjuststhe prioritized list of actions based upon historical end userinteractions in different contexts. At step 54, the context and softwareof initial action are tracked as the end user makes inputs. At step 56,a context-based predictive algorithm monitors information handlingsystem operations so that at step 58 appropriate display actions areperformed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram depicts a process forselectively engaging a mouse function with touch inputs at a display.The process starts at step 66 and monitors pressure detected at step 62,hand orientation at step 64 and end user settings for enablement oftouch and camera observation at the horizontal display. At step 68, ifthe pressure, hand orientation and settings indicate an end userselection of a mouse virtual device, then at step 70 the horizontaldisplay is activated to accept virtual mouse inputs. At step 72, virtualmouse inputs are detected and forwarded to the operating system from thetouch zone of the horizontal display that is activated for mouse inputswith mouse inputs created and logged at step 74. If the end userpositioning indicates completion of mouse functions, the processcontinues to step 76 to end the mouse virtual device. For example, atstep 76 a voice command or lift of the mouse hand for five secondsdisables the mouse zone at step 78 and the process ends at step 80.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an example embodiment is depicted for managingmouse input touches at an information handling system display. The enduser right hand touches with three fingers to support configuration aseither a trackpad model or a mouse model. In the trackpad model, theindex finger provides mouse touch inputs defined by the remaining fingertouches. For example, a tap provides a left mouse button input, a pressplus a hold provides a right mouse input and a two finger movementprovides a scroll input. In the mouse model, three fingers define amouse input. A tap with the index finger provides a left mouse input, amiddle finger tap provides a middle mouse input, a slide with the middlefinger provides a scroll input and a ring finger tap provides a rightmouse input. In both the trackpad and mouse modes, movement of the handprovides movement of the mouse cursor at the display. As set forth abovein FIG. 4, automated detection of the trackpad and mouse mode based uponcontext is provided based upon detection of the end user fingers in theappropriate configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an example embodiment depicts managing thespeed at which mouse inputs are implemented at the display. Modeselector 46 analyzes context and end user touches to adapt mouse cursormovements to different touch speed movements so that an end user canchange how rapidly an image presented on a display moves across thedisplay in response mouse inputs. In a one touch finger mode, the touchassociates with a visual image and moves the visual image at the samerate as the finger touch. The end user next presses two fingers while inthe one touch mode to command transition from a touch mode to a pointermode. In the pointer mode, the amount of movement applied to the visualimage increases relative to the amount of movement made by the twofingers. For example, an end user touching an application window dragsthe application window with a touch so that the application windowremains in the same relative position as the touch while the touch movesacross the display. When the user touches a second finger of the samehand, the input is applied to transition from the touch mode to thepointer mode so that movement of the two fingers generates a greaterrelative movement of the visual image. Advantageously, an end user whois dragging a window on a horizontal display can move the window to thevertical display by placing a second finger to transition to pointermode and using pointer mode to move the window to the other display. Insuch an instance, after the user moves the display, the touch inputs atthe horizontal display will remain in the pointer mode. In a similar usecase, the user may start in a pointer mode using the one finger mousetouch to move an application window from a vertical to a horizontaldisplay at which a transition to touch mode may take place when theapplication window arrives at the user's touching finger. In such anembodiment, touches by the end user's other hand may be interpreted totransition between touch and pointer modes. For example, with an activewindow presented at a vertical display, a one finger touch at thehorizontal display initiates pointer mode to move the window. Placingone, two or three fingers of the user's opposite hand on the horizontaldisplay selects slow, medium or fast movement of the visual image inproportion to the movement of the mouse finger. Placing three fingersdown with the mouse finger initiates a full mouse mode with clickingbuttons and a scroll function. As shown to the far right, anotherindication of transition from touch to pointer modes is a place and holdof one finger for a predetermined amount of time, such as for 750 msec.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram depicts a process forselectively engaging touch and pointer modes that move a visual image ata display. The process starts at step 82 with analysis of system contextthat includes detection of a hand at step 84, a hand orientation triggerat step 86, and activation of touch and/or pressure sensors at step 88.At step 90 a determination is made of whether the active application hasgesture inputs by virtual devices enabled for movement to a seconddisplay and at step 92 the second display is activated to prepare forpresentation of the visual image. At step 94 touch is detected with twohands to indicate transition from a touch to a pointer mode. At step 96,movements are detected of the touch at the horizontal display andconfirmed with a visual image captured of the desktop area. At step 100,the touch input movements are created and logged for application to thevisual image. At step 102, a camera image is applied to track userinputs and indicate completion of the touch inputs. As pointer modeinputs are made, at step 98 transition from the pointer mode movement ofthe cursor to a touch mode movement of a visual object is initiated atdetection of a lifting of a second hand from the horizontal display.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an example embodiment depicts managing touchand pointer mode functions using a series of interrelated touches. Inthe example, two handed gestures manage a cut and paste of visualinformation from one application window to a second application windowwith transitions between touch and pointer modes. The end user indicateinformation of interest by touching the information with the right hand.A tap of the left hand first finger initiates a copy of the information.The end user may then move the information to a different applicationwindow by dropping and dragging the copied visual information to thedesired location and releasing the right hand from touching thehorizontal display. Alternatively, the end user may lift the finger ofthe right hand to transition from the touch mode to a pointer mode sothat the visual information moves at a greater rate than in the touchmode. In the pointer mode, the end user moves the visual information toa different display located above the horizontal display. Differentconfigurations of touches at the end user's left hand indicate differenttypes of manipulation of the visual information, such as the rate ofmovement, cut, copy, paste and other operations.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D depict examples of virtualdevice interactions in touch and pointer modes managed by touch inputsat a display. FIG. 9A depicts a touch mode where an object touched by afinger moves in correspondence with the finger as the finger moves onthe display. FIG. 9B illustrates a transition to a pointer mode in whichplacement of the end user's left hand on the display generates a displayof the cursor on the object so that the object moves with the cursor. Asthe end user moves the right hand finger and greater amount of movementis generated at the cursor and the visual image now associated with thecursor. FIG. 9C depicts how the amount of movement of the visual imageincreases based upon the number of fingers placed on the display withthe left hand. FIG. 9D depicts that visual image moved to a separatedisplay in the pointer mode. A similar operation in reverse may takeplace where a cursor moves the visual image from the distal display tothe horizontal display and lifting of the fingers of the left handprovides a transition to touch mode by the end user of the visual image.Throughout the transitions between touch and pointer modes, the end usermaintains a continuous touch with the left hand for a seamlesstransition of interaction with the visual image.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram depicts a process for managingselection of touch mode interactions of a virtual device using a singlehand. The process starts at step 104 with detection of a hand at step108, detection of finger separation at step 106 and activation of touchand/or pressure sensitivity at step 110. Based upon the context of enduser interactions, the process continues to step 112 to enablethree-segment-touch-turbo-scroll inputs from the touch and/or pressuresensor inputs. At step 114, the appropriate mode is selected based uponthe end user touches and the context of the end user interactions. Forexample, if the end user is editing a document or browsing a web page,the cursor in the document transitions to a mouse pointer responsive tomoves of the end user's fingers. In the mouse mode the end userinteracts with content of the application to cut, paste and scrollthrough visual images. In alternative embodiments, context may place thecursor in a separate application window, such as the last applicationwindow that interacted with the mouse. Advantageously, the end user mayquickly transition between typed inputs and mouse inputs with the samehand while maintaining his hand in the same position on the horizontaldisplay.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a flow diagram depicts a process for managingselection of touch mode interactions of a virtual device using non-touchsensors. The process starts at step 118 with hand detection at step 122,three-dimensional camera activation at step 120 and touch and audiosensors active at step 124. At step 126, touch, visual and audio inputsfuse with context at the displays to manage virtual deviceinterpretation, such as with multi-finger touches and taps associatedwith a keyboard mode. At step 128, the virtual device function forinteracting with touches is selected, such as might be associated with akeyboard input. At step 130, the application associated with thekeyboard inputs is interfaced with the keyboard touch inputs. Forexample, as described below the application and inputs are placed at anupper portion of a vertical display and a keyboard is presented belowthe application window to depict keyed inputs as they are made.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an example embodiment depicts typed inputsmade at a horizontal display and presented at a vertical display. As setforth in FIG. 11, end user hand positioned into a typing configurationat a horizontal display initiates activation of a keyboard virtualdevice on a vertical display. As keyed inputs are made at the horizontaldisplay, the keyboard depicts the keyed inputs for the user to follow.Based upon the context of the presentation of the information handlingsystem, the application selected for the keyed input is automaticallypresented above the keyboard. In one embodiment, the keyed inputs arepresented at a portion of the vertical display while a window with thecomplete application remains open at the horizontal display. An end userseamlessly transitions between typed inputs, touch inputs and mouseinputs by altering finger touch configurations at the horizontal displayso that rapid transitions between modes are done without significant armmotions by the end user.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

1. An information handling system comprising: a processor operable toexecute instructions to process information; a memory interfaced withthe processor, the memory operable to store the information; a graphicsprocessor interfaced with the processor and memory and operable toprocess the information to generate pixel values that present theinformation as visual images at a display; a first display interfacedwith the graphics processor, the first display operable to present thepixel values as visual images; a second display interfaced with thegraphics processor, the second display operable to present the pixelvalues as visual images and having a touchscreen operable to detect enduser touches; a touch controller interfaced with the touchscreen andreceiving positions touched on the touchscreen by the end user touches;and a mode selector interfaced with the touch controller, the modeselector monitoring context at the second display and operable to adapttouch inputs at the second display in response to a touch gesture, theadapted inputs selectively manipulating visual images presented at thefirst and second displays; wherein the context comprises contentpresented at the first and second displays, applications executing onthe processor and a prioritized list of next actions associated with thecontent presented at the first and second displays.
 2. (canceled)
 3. Aninformation handling system comprising: a processor operable to executeinstructions to process information; a memory interfaced with theprocessor, the memory operable to store the information; a graphicsprocessor interfaced with the processor and memory and operable toprocess the information to generate pixel values that present theinformation as visual images at a display; a first display interfacedwith the graphics processor, the first display operable to present thepixel values as visual images; a second display interfaced with thegraphics processor, the second display operable to present the pixelvalues as visual images and having a touchscreen operable to detect enduser touches; a touch controller interfaced with the touchscreen andreceiving positions touched on the touchscreen by the end user touches;and a mode selector interfaced with the touch controller, the modeselector monitoring context at the second display and operable to adapttouch inputs at the second display in response to a touch gesture, theadapted inputs selectively manipulating visual images presented at thefirst and second displays; wherein mode selector adapts content on thefirst display to present a keyboard image, the keyboard image presentingkeyed inputs made at the second display.
 4. An information handlingsystem comprising: a processor operable to execute instructions toprocess information; a memory interfaced with the processor, the memoryoperable to store the information; a graphics processor interfaced withthe processor and memory and operable to process the information togenerate pixel values that present the information as visual images at adisplay; a first display interfaced with the graphics processor, thefirst display operable to present the pixel values as visual images; asecond display interfaced with the graphics processor, the seconddisplay operable to present the pixel values as visual images and havinga touchscreen operable to detect end user touches; a touch controllerinterfaced with the touchscreen and receiving positions touched on thetouchscreen by the end user touches; and a mode selector interfaced withthe touch controller, the mode selector monitoring context at the seconddisplay and operable to adapt touch inputs at the second display inresponse to a touch gesture, the adapted inputs selectively manipulatingvisual images presented at the first and second displays; wherein modeselector adapts content on the first and second display by moving one ormore visual images between the first and second displays in response toa touch movement at the second display.
 5. The information handlingsystem of claim 4 wherein the context comprises at least first andsecond touches made at the second display.
 6. The information handlingsystem of claim 4 wherein the context comprises a cursor location of acursor presented at one of the first and second displays.
 7. Theinformation handling system of claim 4 wherein selectively manipulatingvisual images comprises adjusting the amount of movement applied to avisual image relative to movement of a touch based upon a second touchmade at the second display.
 8. An information handling systemcomprising: a processor operable to execute instructions to processinformation; a memory interfaced with the processor, the memory operableto store the information; a graphics processor interfaced with theprocessor and memory and operable to process the information to generatepixel values that present the information as visual images at a display;a first display interfaced with the graphics processor, the firstdisplay operable to present the pixel values as visual images; a seconddisplay interfaced with the graphics processor, the second displayoperable to present the pixel values as visual images and having atouchscreen operable to detect end user touches; a touch controllerinterfaced with the touchscreen and receiving positions touched on thetouchscreen by the end user touches; and a mode selector interfaced withthe touch controller, the mode selector monitoring context at the seconddisplay and operable to adapt touch inputs at the second display inresponse to a touch gesture, the adapted inputs selectively manipulatingvisual images presented at the first and second displays; wherein thecontext comprises a word processing application presented at the firstdisplay accepting keyed inputs at the second display, and themanipulating visual images comprise presenting a keyboard at the firstdisplay, the keyboard depicting key touches made at the second display.9. A method for interacting with a graphical user interface presented atplural displays, the method comprising: monitoring context associatedwith the plural displays; detecting a touch at one of the pluraldisplays; adapting an action associated with the touch based at least inpart upon the monitored context, the adapting selectively manipulatingvisual images presented at the plural displays; wherein the monitoringcontext further comprises: monitoring plural applications presentingvisual information at the plural displays; and comparing touches at theone display with a prioritized list of actions associated with theplural applications.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein:the context comprises a word processing application at a first of theplural displays; the touch comprises fingers placed on a second of theplural displays in a typing configuration; and adapting an actioncomprises presenting a keyboard at the first of the plural displays. 12.The method of claim 11 further comprising presenting touches at thesecond of the plural displays as key inputs at the keyboard on the firstof the plural displays.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein adapting anaction further comprises selectively moving a visual image responsive toa motion of a touch in a pointer mode or a touch mode.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein moving the visual image further comprises moving thevisual image in the pointer mode at a first or second rate based atleast upon the context.
 15. A system for interacting with visual imageson plural displays, the system comprising: a graphics processor operableto process the information to generate pixel values that present theinformation as visual images at a display; a first display interfacedwith the graphics processor, the first display operable to present thepixel values as visual images; a second display interfaced with thegraphics processor, the second display operable to present the pixelvalues as visual images and having a touchscreen operable to detect enduser touches; a touch controller interfaced with the touchscreen andreceiving positions touched on the touchscreen by the end user touches;and a mode selector interfaced with the touch controller, the modeselector monitoring context at the first and second displays andoperable to adapt touch inputs at the second display in response to atouch gesture, the adapted inputs selectively manipulating visual imagespresented at the first and second displays; wherein the contextcomprises content presented at the first and second displays,applications executing on the processor and a prioritized list of nextactions associated with the content presented at the first and seconddisplays.
 16. (canceled)
 17. A system for interacting with visual imageson plural displays, the system comprising: a graphics processor operableto process the information to generate pixel values that present theinformation as visual images at a display; a first display interfacedwith the graphics processor, the first display operable to present thepixel values as visual images; a second display interfaced with thegraphics processor, the second display operable to present the pixelvalues as visual images and having a touchscreen operable to detect enduser touches; a touch controller interfaced with the touchscreen andreceiving positions touched on the touchscreen by the end user touches;and a mode selector interfaced with the touch controller, the modeselector monitoring context at the first and second displays andoperable to adapt touch inputs at the second display in response to atouch gesture, the adapted inputs selectively manipulating visual imagespresented at the first and second displays; wherein mode selector adaptscontent on the first display to present a keyboard image, the keyboardimage presenting keyed inputs made at the second display.
 18. A systemfor interacting with visual images on plural displays, the systemcomprising: a graphics processor operable to process the information togenerate pixel values that present the information as visual images at adisplay; a first display interfaced with the graphics processor, thefirst display operable to present the pixel values as visual images; asecond display interfaced with the graphics processor, the seconddisplay operable to present the pixel values as visual images and havinga touchscreen operable to detect end user touches; a touch controllerinterfaced with the touchscreen and receiving positions touched on thetouchscreen by the end user touches; and a mode selector interfaced withthe touch controller, the mode selector monitoring context at the firstand second displays and operable to adapt touch inputs at the seconddisplay in response to a touch gesture, the adapted inputs selectivelymanipulating visual images presented at the first and second displays;wherein the mode selector adapts content on the first and second displayby moving one or more visual images between the first and seconddisplays in response to a touch movement at the second display.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18 wherein the visual image moves at a rate relative tothe touch motion based upon the context.
 20. The system of claim 19wherein the rate of visual image motion is a based at least in part upona predicted final position.